Artwork

江戸名所 芝神明|Famous Places of Edo: Shiba Shinmei

江戸名所 芝神明|Famous Places of Edo: Shiba Shinmei, by Utagawa Hiroshige II, ink, 1848
江戸名所 芝神明|Famous Places of Edo: Shiba Shinmei, by Utagawa Hiroshige II, ink, 1848

江戸名所 芝神明|Famous Places of Edo: Shiba Shinmei is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Hiroshige II. It dates from 1848 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Famous Places of Edo: Shiba Shinmei is a woodblock print created by Utagawa Hiroshige II in 1848. Composed of ink and color on paper, it is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a serene winter scene outside a traditional Japanese residence. Figures in traditional attire traverse a path, some protected by umbrellas or laden with baskets, set against a backdrop of snow-clad trees and a distinctive red building.

Technique & Style

Hiroshige II's composition and color palette evoke calmness and tranquility. Warm tones in the figures' clothing contrast with the cool hues of the snowy landscape and sky, enhancing the scene's depth and visual harmony.

History & Provenance

Created in 1848, the work is attributed to Utagawa Hiroshige II. Its current location is The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Context

This print exemplifies Edo-period (1603-1867) ukiyo-e woodblock printing, focusing on capturing everyday life and landscapes of Edo (modern-day Tokyo).

Artist & collection